10 Must-Do October Activities in NYC

October is undeniably one of the most beautiful and exciting months of the year in New York City. In addition to the return of our favorite things about fall such as gorgeous gilded leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and leggings, there are an endless amount of fun festivals, events, and Halloween attractions happening throughout the boroughs. So find your sense of adventure, get to work on that creative costume and start exploring everything the city has to offer this October.

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Here are 10 Must-Do October Activities in NYC:

1. Pig & Khao 2nd Anniversary Carnival

[via tastingtable.com]When: Sunday, October 5th

For a carnival style celebration make your way over to Pig and Khao on the Lower East Side. This Filipino restaurant will be celebrating its 2nd Anniversary with all you can eat Southeast Asian snacks, including whole suckling pigs cooked lechon style as well as unlimited Yuengling drafts and specialty cocktails.

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In addition to magic shows, tarot readers and clowns, this birthday bash will also feature special P&K spiced popcorn, face painting, balloon animals and a variety of carnival games.

2. NYC Zombie Crawl

[via flikr.com]When Saturday, October 11th

Take part in a doomsday epidemic as you rise from the grave and join your fellow flesh-eating friends for a terrorizing day of drinking at the 8th Annual Zombie Crawl. After meeting up at Twins Pub, zombies will make their way over to Time Square for a haunting burlesque show by Peek-A-Boo Revue followed by an after party at Bowlmore lanes and live music performances.

3. Comic Con

[via clubbing.kapanlagi.com]When: Sunday, October 12th

Summons your inner superpowers as your channel your favorite comic character and fly over to the Javitz Center for Comic Con.

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Spend a day alongside dedicated comic, anime, video game, and movie fans showing off their best cosplay costumes as you check out the panels and autograph sessions from big names such as Marvel and DC, meet cast members, see up-and-coming screenings of new movies, and browse through the work of some amazing pop culture artists.

4. Oktoberfest

[via ]When: October 1st through October 31st

If you can’t make it to Munich for Oktoberfest, don’t worry, you can still join in on the beer drinking festivities of this month-long celebration right here in the city. A variety of German restaurants will be hosting Oktoberfest parties and offering special menus packed with Bavaria’s best. Stop by Bar 21, and try a Pastrami Pretzel ‘BLT’ with picked mustard Aioli and Swiss Cheese, or some Pork Schnitzel with Lemon-Thyme Fingerling Potatoes and Haricot Verts.

5. Botanical Gardens Haunted Pumpkin Garden

[via nymetroparents.com]When: October 1st through October 31st

Make your way over to the Haunted Pumpkin Garden at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx to get into the Halloween spirit this season. This spooky exhibit features an extensive display of pumpkins and gourds from North America, thus serving as the perfect backdrop for a variety of fun kids activities that range from a pumpkin play house and a puppet theater to parades and pumpkin planting at the Everett Children’s Adventure Center.

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Stop by on October 18th and 19th, to see the astonishing pumpkin carvings from renowned artist Ray Villafane or pop into the garden on October 25th and 26th to see the largest pumpkin in North America on display.

6. Dia:Beacon

[via travel-studies.com]When: October 1st through October 31st

Escape the city for the day and venture up to Beacon, NY where nestled alongside the Hudson River, you will find Dia:Beacon. This museum features a huge collection of contemporary art housed in a monumental 300,000 spare foot space. In addition to checking out a variety of thought-provoking pieces from artists such as Warhol and Serra, you can make your way outside and take in the sights of the beautiful fall foliage as you stroll through Dia:Beacon’s expansive gardens.

7. Tompkins Square Dog Parade

[via janel mayer]When: Saturday, October 25th

Halloween fun shouldn’t just be reserved for humans, so dress up your four-legged friend and join other costume clad pups at the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Now in its 24th year, this annual celebration has expanded into the biggest dog costume parade in the world, and with hundreds of dogs competing for the prize of best dressed, this event never disappoints.

8. Dungeons of Amsterdam

[via eventsy.com]When: Wednesday, October 29th

Unleash your inner Christian Grey with a little S&M at the Dungeons of Amsterdam Halloween Affair at Goldbar. Hosted by Social Exposure, this dominatrix inspired event strictly require patrons to come dressed in their sexiest dungeon digs and will feature interactive handcuffing and spanking, a dangerous circus act, drink specials and deep house beats from DJ Mark Brickman of Rambunktious Records from 9 pm until “you can’t take it anymore”.

9. Haunted House

[via bloodmanor.com]When: October 1st through October 31st

Nothing says Halloween like having the pants scared off of you at a creepy, ghoul filled haunted house complete with monsters lurking around every dark corner. If you thought you could only find haunted houses in the desolate woods, you’ll be happy to know that there are a variety of scary urban spots to get your adrenaline pumping this month. Some notably terrifying haunted houses worth checking out this month include Blood Manor, Nightmare New York, and Blackout. Happy Haunting!

10. Village Halloween Parade

[via world-insider.com]When: Friday, October 31st

Throw on your costume and head down to Canal Street for a wild spook-tacular celebration at the annual Village Halloween Parade. The event features live music, hundreds of puppets, dancers, 53 marching bands, jugglers, street performers and thousands of enthusiastic partygoers sporting their most creative costumes as they make their way through the streets of New York. This year’s theme is “The Garden of Earthy Delights” so get to work on your costume!